Vietnamese bamboo circus returns to Hanoi after international tour

The "My Village" bamboo circus production began regular performances in Hanoi after touring internationally for years.

The show, which first premiered in 2005, uses bamboo architecture and contemporary acrobatics to depict rural Vietnamese life. Director Tuan Le stated that the 2026 version maintains a simple, unpretentious style without modern technological updates to preserve its original meaning. A creative team including Tuan Le, music director Nguyen Nhat Ly, and creative director Nguyen Lan Maurice leads the production.

The troupe features a diverse group of performers, including professional circus artists, retired traditional theater performers, and farmers. For example, Meritorious Artist Van Doanh, a former farmer from Thai Binh, performs in the show to represent the work and lives of Vietnamese farmers. The production also includes Bich Du, a Muong ritual practitioner who performs traditional ceremonies and plays the Hmong khen, a bamboo mouth organ. The show features a live symphony of over 30 traditional instruments.

Following its return to the capital on November 3, the troupe will perform every Monday through Thursday from November 9 to 30 at the Hanoi Lune Center for The Bamboo Circus.